18 month Check Up

Tillman (bad boy) sticking out his tongue!
Playing at Battery Park

Tillman went for his 18 month check up on Friday to see Dr. Clifford.  All and all, Tillman got a great report, Dr. Clifford said he was glad to see that his height and weight were proportioned well (higher percentile in height than weight).  In his 5 minute observation of Tillman, he thought that his motor and language skills were right on target.  We did discuss his EARS!  Poor Tillman can't catch a break with his ears or get his vaccinations on time due to the ears.  We talked about language development with his ear constantly being infected, discussed if he doesn't get better after a round of steroids that we'd need to see Dr. White, ENT, again to check about taking out adenoids.

Waiting on his exam

Dr. Clifford feels that Tillman's inner-ear is inflamed.  If this is the case, then none of the ear drops are getting down to the source of the infection since there isn't a passage way (hints the smelly ear and no ear drainage).  He felt like steroids would reduce the inflammation and allow the drops to get to the source and allow the drainage release. Tillman goes back to Dr. Clifford in two weeks for a check up and hopefully his vaccination.  If it isn't better then, then off to the ENT we go.

Eating Gold Fish to pass the time

Currently Tillman is on an antibiotic (twice a day), a steroid, ear drops, nose spray and Zyrtec!  I feel like he needs one of those weekly pill boxes that has the days of the week on it.  Oy Vey!

Climbing...of course

Although Tillman has ear troubles, it doesn't slow him down one bit!  Yes, the "roids" make him a bit ornery, but he is as rambunctious as ever.  In fact, he has 4 bruises (one of the cheek and three on the legs) just from yesterday to prove he is not slowing down.  Tillman decided to climb on a chair and then on the chair arm.  He lost his balance, hit a plant stand with his face, and down on the carpet he went.  I think it scared him more than anything.  He wanted a hug from Nick and then me, and then he was on to the next "Evel Knievel" trick!

Snacking with Daddy

Tillman's Stats:

Weight: 22 lbs 6 ozs (9th percentile)

Height: 31 inches (15th percentile)

Head Circumference: 18 inches (6th percentile)

BMI: 16.4

More words from Tillman: book, dog, hot, no no, thank you, milk, more, momma, daddy, banana, truck, basket ball, ball, football, nose, push, and bye-bye. (For some of these, I know what he is saying, but still a little rusty. I'm sure I'm leaving something out.)

Attempting to get a Father Son photo...
at least one was looking at the camera!

18 months 3.12.12

Tillman in his 18 mo Puma jogging suit!

Our little boy turned 18 months/ a year and a half today!  As everyone says "boy, does the time fly," and yes, it DOES!  Mr. Independent is walking  running everywhere, climbing on everything and eating Cheerios!  His favorite past-time is standing in chairs (high chairs, kitchen chairs, couches, stools....you name it). It doesn't bother him that it is a "no no," because after all, all "no no's" are "uh oh's" to him!

Tillman at CiCi & JRS's house...
standing in the chair, of course

Tillman has added words to his vocabulary this month, but when he does a "no no," he always says "uh oh." A new word T has is "daw" (dog), he event makes a "woof woof" sound.  Funny thing is that all animals with 4 legs are dogs.  We where in the grocery store and he pointed to a picture of a pig and starting making his "woof woof" sound.  It was too complicated to try to explain at the time "that's a pig, Tillman...oink oink" because he was so sure of himself.

Tillman "spunk" wasn't damped by the RSV, ear infections, and fevers this month brought him.  He stayed a week out of school this month. At the doctor's he got a fun RSV swab (positive), throat culture (negative), breathing treatment (horrible for everyone around) and some ibuprofen. When we were leaving MUSC After Hours Care, the registration staff asked why Tillman was all red and "wet."  I told them he had been screaming and crying through a breathing treatment for the past 15 minutes.  His hair was soaked, his face was beet red, and he looked like he was ready for a nap.  Me? I was read for a drink and dinner...oh and some headache meds!

Tillman's treat after a breathing treatment at home

Nick and I really thought if we could just be religious with the breathing treatments at home over the next day, he would be good to go back to school. Well, RSV told us differently.  We ended up calling out the troops for HELP!  We traded off one day (I took morning and Nick took afternoon), the next day Tillman went to work with Nick and he and his dad watched Tillman, and then Cici came down and kept him Thursday and Friday.  By Friday, he still wasn't better, so we took him back to the doctor.  Seems like he got a sinus infection on top of the RSV, so we got an antibiotic. You'd think (if you have read this far) that he would be all better.  Well, we are going back to the doctor today. He finished up his meds yesterday, and is still a snot nose kid with a smelly ear.  According to Google, a smelly ear is a type of ear infection.  Tillman has had lots of ear infections, but I have to say that haven't stunk!  Well, now he has the smelly ear too!

Work day with Daddy and PapPaw

 He went back to school last Monday, and he was in a new class.  They sent us home with all of his sippy cups.  In this class, they drink from a cup without a lid, eat with no assistance, sit at a table to eat (not strapped in) and take naps on a mat (on the floor). This is a huge transition, and based on the number of clothes he has messed up at daycare, I'm glad they are helping him through the transition because drinking from a cup is serious business! The sleeping on the floor has also been rough.  Tillman generally takes a 1-1.5 hour nap each day, and on Friday his nap lasted 20 minutes!  He is certainly ready for "Nigh Nigh" when he gets home, but man, he needs his nap to function!  I'm sure he will get in the swing of this new class, but with every change is a little bit of growing pains.  The "growing pains" were evident when I took him into daycare, as soon as he saw his "new teacher" he crinkled his nose and began to pout! I'm sure he was thinking...."boot camp again?"

Tillman watching the water at the Battery

More to come this week, when he goes for his 18 month check up!

13 Months 10.12.11

Wow, what a month!

Tillman has certainly been busy this month.  I texted Nick last night "T is dragging my curling iron all over the room and is busy playing!! It is funny how busy he is doing nothing!" Nick responded "like you say, he has his work to do too."  Tillman is more independent this month.  He will play by himself and keep himself busy.  Of course, he still needs to be watched (like a hawk) because he tends to get in things...well EVERYTHING!  His favorite toys are electrical cords, computers, trash cans, and the bathtub faucet (just to name a few)!

Tillman is at the phase of life of he is either on or off!  There is no in between these days.  He plays and goes 90 miles an hour, and then bam....he's asleep.  Tillman has adjusted to the new daycare room (rough month with that), and now takes a 1 to 2 hour nap during the day (no longer sleeps on the car ride home).  His bed time is still 7pm, and he generally wakes between 6-6:30am.  He's been a really good sleeper, and for that, we are very thankful!

This month brought lots of chatter.  He his constantly "talking."  Lots of new sounds and squealing have been heard this month, as before it was just "momma", "dada", and "bye bye". He's really dropped those words (except dada) and had just been rambling. 

With all that "talky" comes lots of "walky."  He is certainly a walky talky!  We've been playing outside a lot in the nice weather.  He enjoys walking outside and getting his hand dirty!  If there is dirt, Tillman will find it.   I think a sandbox is needed at our house.  He also enjoys his play set.  The slide and the steering wheel are his favorite!
Tillman has also had his fair share of doctor visits this month...4 visits!  He's had fever, stomach virus (and all the yuck that comes with that), rash/fever, and pink eye.  He even has to go back on Friday to get his second half of the flu shot. 

Tillman's 13 month stats
Weight: 9.5 kilograms (at the MUSC Children's After Hours Care...everything is in kilos)
Diaper size: 3-Little Movers during the day and size 4 at night
Clothing size: 12-18 month, but it varies by brand
Shoe size: 4.5-had him measured this month, and found his shoes were too small!
Food: Drinking whole milk and eating more table food. Drinking from a sippy cup and gets bottle at night and early morning.
Naps: In the new classroom, he's taking a 2 hour nap.
Sounds: Chatter box...loves to talk!
Playing: Walking, playing outside, not enjoying stroller rides as much, as he wants to get down, dirt, and enjoys exploring big boy toys (computers, daddy's road bike, power cords, etc)

12 months 9.12.11

Getting his finger pricked for the lead and iron test.
Didn't even cry and was a good bleeder!

Our toddler visited Dr. Clifford for his one year check up.  He got a "clean bill of health;" his iron was a little low. We were glad to hear that he had clear ears (finally).  Dr. Clifford said that we could try to get him off of Zyrtec and see how he tolerates it.  I think we're going to wait until we feel like the allergy season is done before we do that though.

We discussed some of our concerns with daycare with the doctor.  TV has always been a huge dislike for us. He moved to a new class this week in daycare.  This room has a TV.  Although very small and way up in the air, it is on some parts of the day, and we feel it is used as a (potitially) babysitter. When Nick went to pick up Tillman, the "substitute" teacher had the kids sitting at the table, she was reading a magazine, and the kids were watching the TV (no toys in front of them or anything). Of course that didn't go over well to see this, but Dr. Clifford reassured us that Tillman didn't strike him as one of those kids that is going to be captivated by the TV.  He said some children he worries about, but by the way Tillman was expressing himself in the exam room (absolutely bouncing off the walls!), he wasn't concerned. Although, it doesn't excuse the situation at the daycare, Dr. Clifford did make us feel better about our situation.

This is only a still shot of
Tillman, the busy body!
(singing, dancing, wiggling, giggling...)

The transition to this new room has been rough on us all-Tillman, the new teachers/class, Nick and me!  We were told on a Thursday that he'd move the following Monday to a new class.  They don't transition slowly (like let him meet the teachers, spend an afternoon in that class, etc)...just cold turkey!  We asked him how we as parents could help with this transition.  My natural reaction is to drop him off as late as possible and pick him up as soon as possible, but that isn't practical!  Dr. Clifford suggested us dropping him off quick! Nick thought he would get a chance this morning to try it out, but Tillman was asleep in his car seat, so I'm anxious to find out how he responded when he woke.  I'm probably going to call the daycare soon to get a report (no, I can't wait until pick up time!)!

Ouch lady!

Dispite all efforts to combat the immunization fever (Advil before his shots and consistently after), Tillman woke up with a 102 fever.  Tiny T got to play hookie from daycare, which I'm sure he was stoked about! He actually ran the fever consistently all day long.  He received the Hib, PCV, and 1/2 of the flu shot (since he is too young for a full shot or the nasal mist). I called the doctor's office to make sure the fever was normal.  The poor child was burning up and the Advil was not helping. When 3pm rolled around and he vomited, I called back.  They didn't return my call until 7pm, and by that time we were at the MUSC Children's After Hours Care being seen.  Dr. Baker did several test and all came back negative.  He said it was solely related to the shots, but we did discover that the dosage on Advil the bottle isn't the right amount when looking at his weight.  I wasn't given him enough each time.  They gave him a dose of Motin before we left (not sure how much of it went down the hatch because he was fussy and spitting it out). 

102 Fever Boy!

After leaving there, we stopped by to visit with Greg, Nick's friend. He is very in-tuned to people's energy (I'm sure this has a title), so he offered to take a look at Tillman. Tillman was really fussy and just uncomfortable.  As soon as Greg touched Tillman, he went silent and genuinely looked "at peace." Greg said he sensed that Tillman's liver and spleen were having trouble, but that is normal when  processing/ fighting/ building immunity when given a vaccine. When we got home, Tillman was very sweaty since his fever broke.  NOW....I don't know if it was the Motin or what Greg did, but Tillman was doing much better and was fever free! 

Tillman's 12 month stats:

Weight: 21.15 lbs (25th percentile)

Height: 29.5 inches (41st percentile)

Head Circumference: 17.9 inches (24th percentile)

BMI: 17

Diaper size: 3-Little Movers

Clothing size: 12-18 month, but it varies by brand

Shoe size: 3--doesn't walk in shoes...only bare feet.

Food: Drinking whole milk and eating cutting up small piece of food (banana, mango, melons) and eating more table food.  Drinking from a sippy cup and gets bottle at night and early morning.

Naps: In the new classroom, naps are taken at 11AM...Tillman will take an hour nap.

Sounds: New word/sound is "ut oh." He's still saying DaDa, BaBa, Bye Bye, and MaMa.

Playing: WALKING!!!!!, busting off child-proof locks, crawling when he needs to get some place fast!

9 months 6.12.11

I can't believe we made Tillman's one year check up appointment yesterday.  Tillman has been busy between 8 and 9 months...especially on his 9 month birthday weekend.  Last weekend he learned to crawl on his knees, stand up in his crib, and learned we have steps...tried to go up them too! 

Nick had to get out the instructions to the crib to lower it.  Now when Tillman stands, 1/2 of his body isn't coming out the top of the crib!  Tillman still has his beloved bumper in the crib, so he pulls on that to get up.  I've heard recommendations of taking it out, but we're leaving it in since he can't seem to hurt himself.

We've got to get out the baby gates to "corral" the child.  I've also started closing doors...especially to the bathroom. 

We try to keep a pretty good eye on Tillman, but he still manages to get to things fast.  This weekend, He scurried over to Graham's bowls, pulled himself up, and started splashing in Graham's water bowl.  After picking him up from the mess, I looked back at the bowl, and one of his toys was floating in it.

Tillman's toys have all been switched out...no-more-swing (sigh...)!  Yes, the swing stop being used in May.  Tillman has a toy box he likes to get into now.  He really enjoys balls.  He likes to see them roll, and then chases after them.  He has a favorite toy at daycare, a ball, that he hangs onto all day long.  Nick had to pry it out of his fingers when he picked him up the other day.  He didn't get upset about leaving it, which was good (we don't need drama, kid).

For his well check, the doctor said he looked great--growing and development is right on track.  I have been discouraged about him not crawling, but the doctor assured me he was normal and that an army crawl is a crawl.  Crawling on knees is a very intuitive skill since children can't mimic adults doing the act.  This made me feel better, and plus seeing Tillman get on his knees and crawl on Sunday helped too!  Although he knows how to do the knee crawl, if he wants to get somewhere fast, he drops to his belly and army crawls.

Also at the well check we discussed his allergies.  He is to continue taking his Zyrtec once a day.  When looking into his ear, it was a little infected, so Tillman has a sinus/ear infection.  He was given an antibiotic and NOSE SPRAY...really!  We were "trained" on how to give him the spray.  The doctor said it is a two man job.  One of us will have to hold him down while the other put the spray up his nose.  This should be interesting when we try it tonight.  I'm pretty sure Tillman is going to be mad as a hornet when this goes down!

I also asked about a red spot that Tillman sometimes gets on his cheek, we've discovered that this is some what of a birthmark.  In doctor talk, the capillaries in that area are either closer to the surface or are more concentrated in that area.  Oddly enough, Nick has the same thing on his face in the exact same spot.  The doctor told Nick that there is no way he can deny Tillman...ever!

See my red spot?

Tillman's Stats
Weight-18 lbs 13 oz (22nd percentile) He is very slim through his trunk, but his cute little legs are as chuncky as they can be! 
Height-27.8 inches (35th percentile) The doctor assured us that the low percentiles were ok. If he is a grown male at the 35th percentile he will be 5'8" or 5'9". 
Head Circumference-17.3 inches (15th percentile) I could only imagine if he had a 50th percentile head.  We struggle to get shirts over the head now.  I feel like I am always "yanking" them to get over his head. 
Diaper Size-3 (Little Movers)
Clothing Size-6-9 months (starting to pull out 12 months)
Shoe Size- 1 (He doesn't wear shoes a lot. Doctor said bare feet are better than the best Stride Rite)
Food-Momma milk and three meals a day-2 vegetables and 1 fruit or yogurt
Sleeping-through the night in his crib
Teeth-two three (one of his incisors is coming in up top)
Naps-usually only 30 minutes twice a day (Starting to throw a fit when he is put down for a naps on the weekend)
Sounds-DaDa, BaBa, Bye Bye, and MaMa.  I do think that he is starting to learn what DaDa means.  He will look at Nick when he says it.
Play-pulling up, tickling/giggling, army crawling on the floor, crawling on knees, giggling at people to get attention
Things we're working on-exploring the sippy cup, some finger foods and perfecting crawling on knees
Things mommy's working on-baby proofing the house, and thinking of other words beside "no" to everything. I thought of the word "danger" for harmful things, but my reaction is always just to say "no!"

Just plan silly!

The doctor said "don't be alarmed, mom, but..."

"Tillman has pneumonia."

An hour after I blogged about Tillman's 6 month well visit, I get a call from Nick saying the daycare called.  Tillman had a temp of 102.2, and they requested he be picked up.  We, of course, thought it was due to his 6 month shots (4 shots at this visit), but I scheduled a doctor's appointment anyways...good thing because 2 hours in the doctors office with a breathing treatment, another shot, oral antibiotic and testing for RSV concluded that Tillman had pneumonia (pneumococcal pneumonia that is/was superimposed over a virus aka daycare crud). We saw a great physician, Dr. Clifford (going to switch to him from now on).  He gave us his cell phone number and told me that it is always with him and to call no matter the hour.  He called to check on Tillman on Friday night, and ended his call with "give Tillman a hug for me."  On Saturday night, Tillman's fever spiked again, and I was getting worried because it was getting late (new mom here...never had a sick child before).  I broke down and called dear Dr. Clifford.  He "triaged" Tillman over the phone.  He told me what to do and to call back if things didn't get better and we'd reassess!  When calling, I was ready to go to the ER, but he talked us through it and was really calm.  Again he ended the call with "give my little buddy a hug for me!"

 

Tillman is doing much better!  He went to daycare on Monday since he was fever free from 24 hours (that's the rule).  Nick and I agreed not to tell the daycare ladies that Tillman had pneumonia...didn't want to freak them out.  I just told them he had an infection and he was on antibiotics.  He still has his terrible cough, stuffy nose, and watery eyes going on.  He's had this since March 1st.  We sure hope April brings a stronger immune system to our household!  Tillman and I have been to the doctor twice in March, and Nick has been 5 times.

6 Months 3.12.11

Tillman spent his 6 month birthday in Lexington.  We went for my cousin's wedding.  It ended up being just Tillman and me, since Nick was sick.  This was also the first time Nick had been away from Tillman, and the first time I had traveled alone with Tillman.  The traveling went well, and he slept for the full two hours.  We were able to get the car unloaded and him inside my parents house before waking up (the coo coo clock got him...he immediately awoke to that noise). 

Tillman got to see a lot of my side of the family.  Many of these folks we had not seen since Christmas.  Tillman had some sucking up to do to these people since he screamed his head off at Christmas.  He got to show them that he was a happy baby after all! 

Tillman has had a busy March....
First, he was introduced to the yucky germs at daycare, which lead to the entire family being sick.  We all still have the stuffy noses going.  It is just a virus, so we're letting it run its course.

He has really gotten settled into his new routine...going to daycare everyday.  He no longer cries when we "hand him over" in the morning.  He is, however, very spoiled and knows that he is the first to be picked up in the afternoon.  If another child gets picked up before him, he wants to go with them and cries.  He knows that when a person comes in, one of the babies gets to go out, and he always wants it to be him.  He still has not adjusted to being in one room all day long...he's used to being on the go.

Tillman also has a new routine with eating.  We've replaced one of his bottles with food!  Nick and I have been making his baby food in the Beaba Babycook.  He has had green beans, pears, squash, and carrots so far.  I've enjoyed cooking his food, and Tillman has certainly enjoyed eating.  He gets rather impatient while eating.  As soon as the spoon is out of his mouth, he is whining and beating the high chair tray for more.

Developmentally, Tillman has had a HUGE month.  Our drooling monster has his first tooth, and his second one is about to make its appearance very soon (pictures to come soon on this, but its hard to capture)!  Also, Tillman is rolling over a lot and is sitting up for short periods.  He hasn't quite grasped that nothing is supporting him from behind.  He will just "fling" himself backward...really hard.  We really have to be careful because I am pretty sure he could give himself a concussion or something if he hit the floor (wow, wouldn't we get parents of the month if that happened)!

Yesterday, St. Patrick's Day, Tillman had his 6 month check up.  The daycare ladies wanted to make sure we remembered his green, so he wouldn't get pinched.  However, Tillman got more than just pinched yesterday....he got 4 shots! 

At the appointment the doctor encouraged us to get the house "baby proofed."  She said she estimates we have 4 weeks to do so...guess we need to get busy with that. He was "released" to eat pretty much any type of food (expect peanut butter, strawberries and eggs), so I think we're going to increase his eating to two meals a day.  She also expects him to be crawling by the next appointment at nine months (pressure's on Tiny T).

Tillman's Stats

Weight-16 lbs 2 oz (23rd percentile)

Height-25.75 inches (23rd percentile)

Head Circumference-17 inches (31st percentile)

So, we don't call him Tiny T for nothing; he's on the small side.  I'm ok with that. 

Random Stats

Diaper Size-2 (Little Snugglers)

Clothing Size-3-6 months (0-3 pants are still fitting!)

Food-Momma milk and one meal (food) a day

Sleeping-through the night, in his crib, and still in his bunting suit

Teeth-one in and one on the away...drooling like crazy

Sounds-cooing, making raspberries, high pitch squeaks

Play-Jumperoo, Bumbo, stroller walks, standing, tummy time

New buddies-Graham

STOP with the pictures already! 

4 Month Check Up

Sadly, this is the only picture
 I got at his appointment.

Luckily, Tillman has not been to the doctor since his two month check up in November.  He has been a pretty healthy boy!  Tillman hasn't had time to be sick because we've been on the "go" for the past two months, and he has been busy himself growing! 

At 4 months Tillman is

-14 lbs 4 ozs (37th percentile)

-25 inches long (54th percentile)

-Head size 16.25 inches (25th percentile)

-BMI of 16

I was glad to see his height became a little bit more average, and all of his stats have increased in the percentile rankings (especially his head size-it is up from the 3rd percentile!). 

Tillman got one vaccine (a combo shot), and he'll go back in two weeks to get the remaining 3 vaccines to complete his 4 month vaccine schedule.

We spent about 30 minutes with the PA going over questions and having her "take a look at" Tillman.  We were excited to find out that Tillman shows all the right signs to start food-rice cereal (holding his head up with good control and taking more than 32 ozs in a 24 hour period). We plan to start cereal this weekend, and by 6 months he will be able to have some fun fruits with it!

We also discussed sleeping.  She told us that he SHOULD be able to sleep through the night, and we SHOULD just let him cry it out....ugh!  Hard to hear (at the appointment and during the night last night...we did feed him once during the night).  Even though we explained when he wakes at night, he takes down a bottle and goes right back to bed (no play time involved), she said he should be fine until the morning, and he needs to sleep through the night.  BUT, she did follow up by saying "every child is different." We are going to try to see what works for us.  Having a long weekend (MLK holiday) may help us get through the "crying it out" stage if we choose that route.

Tillman is still pretty content with 3.5-4 ozs of milk at each feeding (I, the milk maid, am exclusively pumping...no formula yet for Tillman), although he should be taking 1/2 his weight, which is ~7ozs.  After getting home from the pediatrician visit, I did open a box of new bottle that had some 8 oz bottles and stage two nipples.  We gave him 6 ozs before going to bed, but during the night, he still took another 4ozs.  Tillman is funny when it comes to eating.  He is very good at "cleaning his plate" aka "taking down a full bottle," but don't ask him to go for "seconds."  Once the bottle is out of his mouth, he won't take anymore...he's done! 

I think if he can get down an 7-8 ozs bottle before bed, then I'll feel better about letting him "cry it out." 

We also chatted about "what should Tillman be doing now?"  She assured us that he was "normal." (I need to hear that.)  We did get confirmation that Tillman has been teething and he has a couple teeth under the gums.  It looks like he'll get teeth early.

She checked him out doing some "Tummy Time," and she said he does really well and looks "strong."  We asked if there was a suggested length of time we should do Tummy Time, but she didn't feel there was a set time to do it. 

She did ask if he was rolling over or intentionally grabbing at things.  We said "not yet."  So, that is what we will focus on.  He has rolled over, but it isn't intentional.

We are very glad to hear that Tillman is right on track!  Happy 4 Month Birthday, Tiny T!

2 Month Check Up

Tillman had his two month appointment on November 16th.  This was his first time back at the doctor since we had to take him for weight checks a week after he was born (glad those stressful times are behind us).  At two months, they start passing out the shots!  Nick and I have gone back and forth on the vaccines and schedule.  Nick and I both did research, as our opinions were on opposite ends of the spectrum.  We opted for a compromise and chose to spread out the shots, but for Tillman to receive all vaccines. 

Tillman goes back in two weeks to get his two shots he skipped last Tuesday.  I am glad he only got two because he had a fever and all with just two.  I don't want to think how he would have been with four shots. 

Our poor little guy after shot one.

He had the same reaction to shot two...I would too!

Also at this appointment they get all of his stats too!

At Two Months, Tillman is

-22 inches long (13th percentile)

-10 lbs 13 ozs (22nd percentile)

-Temp reading 98

-Head size 14 1/2 inches (3rd percentile)

He takes around 3.5-4 oz at a feeding. The doctor said he could take more…like 5 oz, but we think he is content with less. So far, he has only received breast milk (Nick calls it "momma milk")! No formula!!! He has come a long way from leaving the hospital at 5 lbs 9oz. He is still on the small side, but I think he is just going to be small. He has been below the 50th percentile with height and weight since his first ultrasound.  I don’t feel he is small because he isn’t getting enough to eat.

At two month, Tillman loves his swing, taking baths, taking walks in the BabyBjorn, going to work with daddy and is "cooing" and smiling a lot (oh and loves watching ceiling fans and clocks)!  He still takes 2-3 hour naps during the day, and will sleep up to 7 hours at night (in his swing).  The doctor said we need to work on transitioning him to a still sleep setting, so we've been working on that.  Of course, he doesn't sleep as well, but only wake one time during the night. 

Nick and I at two months of being parents have also grown a lot too!  We've adjusted our own bedtimes (9PM for me), and take shifts during the night (I wake to pump and Nick cares for Tillman if I'm not already up).  We've learned that team work in the morning gets us all out the door on time.  Also we've learned that what works for Tillman is good for us, so we adjust to meet his happy point (road trips start at 6AM, only go out to eat when Tillman has a full tummy, we tote his swing everywhere, etc). 

Parenting has been very rewarding for us.  It has taught me a lot about my priorities in life.    Life is no longer at work; it is at home with family.  At work it has taught me to be extra efficient, get things done during work hours, and to not allow work to flow over to family time.  Often when I leave in the morning, Tillman is asleep, and when I return, he is asleep.  I miss not seeing him during the day, but the precious time at night we spend together is something I'm not willing to give up!

Coburg don't have nothin' on me!

Tillman is breastfeeding, but I must say it is not easy.  It is just like anything in life worth working for-a college degree, running a marathon, a master's degree, etc.  I have done all of those, so this is just the challenges of being a good mom, and it is worth working for and not giving up.

We went to his first pediatican appointment yesterday.  Here is some email exchanges I had with the MUSC lacation services after his appointment.  Lacatation consultants are the best resource for mom-baby success with breastfeeding.  Dr. Villers told me before I delivered "you are a mom, and have no idea how to be a mom.  Tillman is a baby, and he has no idea how to be a baby.  It is a learning process you will go through together."  She couldn't be more right!


Email exchange:

From: Meredith
Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2010 2:08 AM
Subject: Feeding volumes

I need more of your advice.
Tillman went to the pediatrician today. They don't feel like he is getting enough to eat. She encourage me to talk to an Lactation Consultant about it and drink tons of water. We go back on Friday for a weight check. She says that his face shows signs of Jaundice and dehydration (little sinking in around the eyes and dry lips). If he doesn't gain enough by Friday, they would like for us to supplement or use some lactation devices to get him more intake.
Do you know what device she is speaking of? She said we could provide more volume without using a bottle nipple. She said there are devices that well mimic the nipple.
I feel he has eaten better over the past two days, but think we got him behind with my milk coming in and being engorged (yes people, the girls were like rocks! They were so hard, I couldn't even pump, but applying heat to them worked great!).

At birth, he weighed 6 lbs 3ozs.
Leaving the hospital he weighed 5lbs 9 ozs.
Yesterday he was 5lbs 13 ozs. She wanted him to be back to birth weight by now.
Thanks you for all the advice.
Meredith
-----------------------

Good morning,

Only a mother e-mails at 2 am. I think you have a good handle on it. He probably got a little behind with the engorgement. He should be eating at least 8 times per day for 15-20 minutes minimum, could be as many as 12 times with cluster feeding. He should be wetting 5-6 diapers and at least one stool (could be many). If he is doing this he should be doing well. Drink only to thirst, 8-10 glasses per day. Not gallons. Rest. The next 24 hours (before your next pediatrician's appt) should be all about breastfeeding and rest. Do not go out, or shop or anything. Just allow him to eat whenever he wants and wake him if he has not woken by 3 hours after his last feed. Put him skin-to-skin on your chest at 3 hours and wait for feeding cues. He should be eating within 30 minutes.
I am on tomorrow. What time is your pediatrician's appt? If he has not gained weight I can show you how to use the Supplemental nursing system. We have them here (MUSC). You just put breastmilk or formula in a bottle that has a tube that goes down to the breast. When he latches the tube goes in his mouth also so he will get extra breastmilk or formula when he sucks.
This is not uncommon. Don't worry. Try to stay relaxed and focused solely on Tillman and breastfeeding today.
Page me tomorrow after the pediatrician's appt. or if you have any questions.

MUSC Lactation Service

Pediatricians can be fashionable?

Today is supposed to be fashion Friday on the blog, but I just can't think of any thing fashionable to chat about.  I have the holiday weekend and pediatricians on the brain. 

This week we interviewed a Pediatrician, Dr. Rhodes with Parkwood Pediatrics, for Tillman's care (no practice website...ugh!).  He came highly recommended by a friend.  When calling the practice, they offered an appointment to meet Dr. Rhodes, so we went on Wednesday.  

He is a native of Charleston and has lived in the area all his life (except when he went off to school and residency).  We appreciated him taking the time to chat with us and to address a few of our concerns regarding childhood shots (mostly the un-backed research of these shots causing or attributing to Autism).  The news coverage of this has been scarey, but he had a very good thoughts on why there is a rise of Autism in society, which steared the the cause to more envirnomental things (TV, video, TVs in the mini vans, etc).  He mentioned that many disorders that used to go undiagnosised or considered kids with behavior problems are now considered in the Autistic spectrum.  Autism used to be a very finite disorder, and now it is more of a spectrum of behaviors (the difference between a single gun shot and a shot gun blast).

We really appreciated his time.

Another practice that came highly recommended was Coastal Pediatrics.  The good thing about this practice is I have worked with one of the physicians, Kara Bleavens Huncik, and one of the practitioners, Beth Thelan, in the past.  A familiar face is always a good thing!  In fact, Nick has met both of these ladies before too, so that should make it more comfortable for the both of us.  I'll be looking into this practice this week. 

I think between these two highly recommended practices, we'll find the right fit for Tillman's care.

Happy 4th of July, and please keep Baby Cohen's family in your thoughts and prayers.